11beta, 18-oxido-18zata-methyl-progesterone



United States Patent The invention relates to the novel compound, 1119,18- oxido-ISS-methyl-progesterone and a novel process for the preparation of said novel compound. The invention also relates to novel intermediates thereof.

11p,18-oxido-185-methyl-progesterone is a biologically active steroid possessing an anti-aldosteronic activity.

It is an object of the invention to provide the novel compound, 1 1p, l8-oxido-1 Si-methyl-progesteroue.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for the preparation of 11p,l8-oxido-l8z-methyl-progesterone.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide novel intermediates for the preparation of llfl,18-oxido- Ills-methyl-progesterone,

These and other objects and advantages will become obvious from the following detailed description.

' The process of the invention comprises reacting the 11,18-lactone of 3-ethylenedioxy-1113,20p-dihydroxy-A pregnene-lS-oic acid with a methyilmagnesium halide to ice A -pregnene, reacting the latter with acetic anhydride in the presence of an acetic complex of boron fluoride to form 3-ethylenedioxy-l1p,18-oxido-18-methy1ene-20p-acetoxy-A -pregnene, catalytically hydrogenating the latter to form 3 ethylenedioxy-l lfi,18-oxido-l8i-methyl-20p-acetoxy-a -pregnene, hydrolyzing the latter to form 1118,18- oxido-18g-methyl-20fl-acetoxy-M-pregnene-3-one, saponifying the latter to form 11,3,18-oxido-182-methyl-M-pregnene-20fl-ol-3-one, oxidizing the latter to form 11 3,18- oxido 185 methyl progesterone and recovering said product.

A preferred mode of the process of the invention comprises reacting the l1,18-lactone of 3-ethylenedioxy11p', ZOfl-dihydroxy-M-pregnene-l8-oic acid with methyl magnesium bromide in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at reflux temperatures to form 3-ethylenedioxy-I In,18-18,20fl-bis-oxido-l8z-methyl-a -pregnene, reacting the latter with acetic anhydride in the presence of an acetic complex of boron fluoride and acetic acid to form B-ethylenedioxy 113,18 oxidO-lS-mcthfleneJOflacetoxy-a -pregnene, hydrogenating the latter in the presence of platinum oxide in an organic solvent such as acetic acid to form B-ethylenedioxy-l1B,l8 oxido-18-methy1- ZOfl-acetoxy-M-pregnene, hydrolyzing the latter in a lower alkanol under acidic conditions to form llfl,l8-oxido-l8- methyI-ZOB-acetoxy-A -pregnene-3-one, saponifying the latter to form 115,18-oxido-18g-methyl-A -pregnene-Ztlflol -3-one, oxidizing the latter with chromic acid in acetic acid to form 11,8,18-oxido-l8g-methyl-progesterone and form B-ethyIenedioXY-l 15,18-18,2Dfl-bis-oxido-ISE-methylrecovering the latter. The process is illustrated in Table I.

' TABLE I 2 0-ii 0--o- -0 1 \l H OH CH (m (In) on, CH: 2 OJ 0OH H70Ac lid-0A0 (IV) on on, on. i 2 0-011 o-on H-Olrc H --0H Z sp w.

.QII

EXAMPLE Preparation of 1lp,18-0xid0-I85-Methyl-Progesterone, I

STEP A.-3-E'DHYLENEDm-XY-nfl,18-18,20B-BIs-0xIDO- ISI-METHYL-M-PREGNENE, III

1.556 gm. of the 11,18-lactone of 3-ethylenedioxy-l1p, ZOB-dihydroxy-M-pregened8-oic acid, II (obtained according to Wettstein et al., Experientia, 1960, p. 21), were dissolved in 25 cc. of hot benzene. The reaction mixture was cooled to 40 C. and 33 cc. of a 0.8 N solution of methyl magnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran were added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for a period of one hour, then poured onto a mixture of ice and ammonium chloride. The aqueous mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the extracts were combined, washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was crystallized from isopropyl ether and supplied 3-ethylenedioxy-llp,18-l8,20fi-bisoxido-l8s-methyl-A -pregnene, 111, with a yield of 75%. The compound had a melting point of 185 C. and a specific rotation [a] =+10 (c.=0.5% in chloroform).

The LR. spectra (determined in chloroform) confirms the absence of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups and shows a strong band at 899 cm.- characteristic of the bisoxido system.

The product occurred in the form of white crystals, soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene and chloroform, insoluble in water and dilute aqueous alkalis.

AndySisF-C H O Molecular weight=336.51. Calculated: C, 74.57%; H, 8.87%. Found: C, 74.6%; H, 8.9%.

This compound is not described iii the literature.

STEP B.3-ETHYLENEDIOXY-1'1B,18-OXIDO-18 METH- YLENE-20fl-ACETOXY-M-PREGNENE, IV

1.7 gm. of 3-ethylenedioxy-1 1,848, l8-20p-bisoxido-l8imethyl-A' pregnene, III, were covered by 7 cc. of acetic acid anhydride. 0.5 cc. of a 10% solution of the acetic complex of boron fluoride in acetic acid was added, and the mixture was tritura-ted for a period of ten minutes. 3 ethylenedioxy 113,18 oxido 18 methylene-20pacetoxy-A -pregnene, IV, crystallized.

It was vacuum filtered, washed with isopropyl ether, and 1.15 grams of product were recovered. The mother liquors and wash liquors were combined and supplied, after evaporation of the isopropyl ether, another 0.337 gm. of the product, melting at 232 C., were obtained. The product was used as such for the next step of the synthesis.

For analysis, the product was recrystallized from methylethylketaone and a sample melting at 237-238 C. was obtained, having a specific rotation [e] *=-14 (c.=0.5% in chloroform). The product occurred in the form of white prismatic crystals, soluble in ether, acetone, benzene and chloroform, very slightly soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water.

Analysis-C mp Molecular weight=428.55. Calculated: C, 72.86%; H, 8.47%. Found: C, 72.8%; H, 8.4%.

The IR. spectra, determined in carbon disulfide, shows a. small band at 3,125 crnr and a shoulder towards 3,015 cm." as well as a band at 1,665 emf.

This compound is not described in the literature.

STEP C.3-E'IHYLENEDIOXY-1IBJS-OXIDO-ISK-METH- 500 mg. of 3-ethylenedioxy-1 1fl,l8-oxido-1-8-methy1ene- ZOB-acetoxy-M-pregnene, IV, were dissolved in 15 cc. of acetic acid. 250 mg. of platinum oxide previously hydrogenated in acetic acid were added and the im'xture formed was subjected to hydrogenation for a period of about twenty minutes, until the absorption of a molecular equivalent of hydrogen. The catalyst was eliminated by filtration and the filtrate was poured into water. The aqueous solution was extracted with methylene chloride, and the extracts were combined, washed with water, with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate, again with water, then dried and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. 3-ethylenedioxy-l l18,18-oxido-l8-methyl-20flacetoxy-M-pregnene, V, precipitated. It was purified by chromatography over alumina and a product molting at 203' C. was obtained with a yield of 65%. The product occurred in the form of white platelets, soluble in ether, alcohol, acetone, benzene and chloroform, insoluble in water.

This product is not described in the literature.

STEP D.-118,18-0XIDO-18-METHYL-20B-ACE'I\0XY-A- PREGNENE-3-ONE, VI

500 mg. of 3-ethylenedioxy-11fi,l8-oxido-l8-methy1- ZOB-acetoxy-A -pregnene, V, was introduced in 10 cc. of methanol and 0.5 cc. of an aqueous normal solution of hydrochloric acid was added. The mixture was heated to reflux for a period of six minutes. After cooling, water was added and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts were combined, washed with water, dried, then evaporated to dryness under vacuum. 115,18 oxido-ISE methyl ZOfl-acetoxy-M- pregnene-3-one, VI, was obtained which, when crystallined from ether, gave a yield of 6570% and had a melting point of 154 C. The product occurred in the form of white crystals, soluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in ether and insoluble in water and dilute aqueous acids or alkalis.

Ultraviolet spectra (ethanol): e=15,900.

This compound is not described in the literature.

400 mg. of 1 1B,l8-oxido-l8-methy1-20p-acetoxy-A pregnene-3-one, VI, were introduced into 10 cc. of methanol. 0.2 cc. of sodium hydroxide solution was added and the reaction mixture heated to reflux for a X 10 240 mp,

period of 30 minutes. It was then cooled, added slowly to water, iced and the l1fl,18-oxido-18-methyl-A pregnene-20fl-ol-3-one, VII, was vacuum filtered and washed with water. The yield was 70% and the product had a melting point of 180 C. The product occurred in the form of white crystals, soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water and dilute aqueous acids or alkalis.

The LR. spectra confirms the given structure and shows in particular the presence of a free hydroxyl,

E},,, =1.96, e=56 This compound is not described in the literature. STEP F.11fi,18-0XIDO-18t-METHYLPROGESTERONE, I

344 mg. of raw 11B,lS-oxido-l8g-methyl-A -pregnene- 20;.3-ol-3-one, VII, in 5 cc. of acetic acid were treated under agitation at 16 C. with 1 cc. of acetic acid containing water and 80 mg. of chromic acid. After six hours the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride, and the extracts were combined, washed with sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over magnesium sulfate and distilled to dryness. The residue, crystallized from isopropyl ether, had a melting point of 136 C. and a specific rotation [a] ='+223 (c.=0.4% in chloroform). It occurred in the form of white starlike crystals, soluble in acetone, benzene and chloroform, slightly soluble in ethyl ether and isopropyl ether, and insoluble in water or dilute aqueous acids or alkalis.

AHOIYSiSr-CzgHgoOgi MOIECUIGI WCight=342.46. Calculated: C, 77.15%; H, 8.83%. Found: C, 77.2%; H, 9.0%.

LR. spectra (determined in chloroform): bands at 1,700 cm." and 1,355 emf.

U.V. spectra (ethanol): to 240 mp, ==15,550.

This product is not described in the literature.

Various modifications of the process of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, and it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. 11p,18-oxido-ISE-rnethyl-progesterone having a melting point of 136 C., a specific rotation [a] ='+223 (c.=0.4% in chloroform), infrared bands in chloroform at 1,700 cm.- and 1,355 cmrl and an ultraviolet spectra in ethanol: k to 240 my and e= 5,5$D.

2. 3-ethylenedioxy-l113,18-18,ZOB-bis-oxido-ISE-methyl- A -pregnene having a melting point of 185 C. and a specific rotation [a] 1O (c.=0.5% in chloroform).

3. 3 ethylenedioxy 1lfl,l8-oxido-ISE-methyl-ZOB-acetoxy-n -pregnene having a melting point of 203 C.

4. 11p,18 oxido-18-methyl-20p-acetoxy-A -pregnene- 3-one having a melting point of 154 C. and an ultraviolet spectra in ethanol: k to 240 mp. and e=15,900.

5. 115,18 oxido-l8methyl-A-pregnenc-20fl-ol-3-one having a melting point of C.

6. 3 ethylenedioxy-llfl,l8-oxido-185-methylene-2OB- acetoxy-n -pregnene.

7. A process for the preparation of llp,l8-oxido-l8- methyl-progesterone which comprises reacting the 11,18- lactone of 3 ethylenedioxy-llp,20;3-dihydroxy-A -pregnene-18-oic acid with a methyl magnesium halide to form 3 ethylenedioxy 11B,l8-18,20fl-bis-oxido-l8t-methyl-A pregnene, reacting the latter with acetic anhydride in the presence of a boron fluoride to form 3-ethylenedioxyl1,8,lS-oxido-l8-methylene-Ztlp-acetoxy-A -pregnene, catalytically hydrogenating the latter to form B-ethylenedioxy 113,18 oxido-l8E-methyl-20fi-acetoxy-A -pregnene, hydrolyzing the latter to form 115,18-oxido-l85-methyl- 20p-acetoxy-A -pregnene-3-one, saponifying the latter to form 113,18 oxido-l8amethyl-n pregnene-ZOfl-ol-B-one, oxidizing the latter to form 11,6,18-oxido-18E-methylprogesterone and recovering the latter.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the methyl magnesium halide is methyl magnesium bromide.

9. The process of claim 7 wherein the boron fluoride is a complex of boron fluoride and acetic acid.

10. The process of claim 7 wherein the hydrogenation is effected in the presence of a platinum catalyst.

11. The process of claim 7 wherein the oxidation is efiected in the presence of chromic acid.

12. A process for the preparation of 11,6,18-oxidomethyl-progesterone which comprises reacting the 11,18- lactone of 3 ethylenedioxy-llfl,20fl-dihydroxy-A -pregnene-18-oic acid with methyl magnesium bromide to form 3 ethylenedioxy 11p,18-18,20p-bis-oxido-l8e-methyl-M- pregnene, reacting the latter with acetic anhydride in the presence of a complex of boron fluoride and acetic acid to form 3-ethylenedioxy-113,18-oxido-18-methylene-20pacetoxy-A -pregncne, hydrogenating the latter in the presence of a platinum catalyst to form 3-ethylenedioxyl 1B,l8oxido-l8,E-methyl-20fl-acetoxy-A -pregnene, hydrolyzing the latter under acidic conditions to form 11,6,18- oxido-l8{-methyl-ZOp-acetOXy-M-pregnene-3-one, saponifying the latter to form 1149,18-oxido-l8f-mcthyl-n pregnene-20B-ol-3-one, oxidizing the latter with chromic acid to form l1fl,l8-oxido-1SE-methyl-progesterone and recovering the latter.

No references cited. 

1. 11B,18-OSICO-18$-METHYL-PROGESTERONE HAVING A MELTING POINT OF 136*C., A SPECIFIC ROTATION (A)D20-+223* (C.=0.4% IN CHLOROFORM), INFRARED BANDS IN CHLOROFORM AT 1,700 CM.-1 AND 1,355 CM.-1 AND ANN ULTRAVIOLET SEPCTRA IN ETHANOL: $MAX. TO 240 MU AND $=15,500. 